DEPARTMENTS > COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

Letter to the Editor - College Drinking

College Drinking Leads to Many Other Problems

Some college traditions are ageless: eating pizza at midnight, pulling all-nighters before a big test. But recent reports about other “traditions” –guzzling cold beer with friends or getting so drunk you can barely find you dorm room are being seriously examined for the long-term damage they cause to drinkers and nondrinkers alike. Despite increased public awareness about the strong relationship between substance abuse and other social problems such as fatal car crashes, increase risk of HIV infection and date rape, students continue to binge drink.

Today, nearly half of all college students drink at least four or five drinks at one time, according to the results of a study on binge drinking published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Over two out of every five college students are binge drinkers. Each year, college students spend $5.5 billion on alcohol (mostly beer). This is more then they spend on books, soda, coffee, juice and milk combined.

While many students do not see the harm in having a few beers, the risks of excessive alcohol consumption involve more than just a hangover the next day. Studies show that alcohol is a factor in 66 percent of student suicide and 60 percent of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. More than 30 percent of unplanned pregnancies occur while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. One out of every four student deaths is related to alcohol use. Many students who drink heavily have problems keeping up with their school work. Studies show that 41 percent of all academic problems stem from alcohol abuse.

In addition, students who do not drink are affected by their classmates who do. Studies show that 67 percent of college men who sexually assaulted women had been drinking and 50 percent of the victims had also been drinking. Students at schools with high level of binge drinking are three times more likely to be pushed, hit, or sexually assaulted by drunken peers than are students at schools with less drinking.

At campuses across the country, there is a growing movement of students who are taking charge by deciding to stay sober. Many colleges have responded by implementing strong alcohol policies to keep drinking to a minimum. Some have also designated alcohol-free dorms and made alcohol-free events a high priority.

It is also crucial that college administrators work with local communities to come up with underage drinking laws to keep students safe and healthy. If we all work together to deglamorize college drinking or provide alternative activities, we can make each school year safer than the one before.

Lisa Harmon Mollicone

Manalapan/Englishtown Coordinator for Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Licensed Clinical Alcohol And Drug Counselor